Just for reference of anyone reading this who is in doubt of their CFS diagnosis I thought I would place a reference to guidelines for diagnosing CFS albeit guidelines established in my country 6 yrs ago.
http://www.mja.com.au/public/guides/cfs/cfs2text.html
Diagnosis
CFS is diagnosed on clinical grounds. It relies on the presence of characteristic symptoms (see Box B), and the exclusion of alternative medical and psychiatric diagnoses. In individual patients, the symptoms of CFS may overlap with other common syndromes such as fibromyalgia and irritable-bowel syndrome, and the primary diagnosis will depend on which symptoms are the most dominant and disabling. People with CFS often have concurrent depression, and this need not exclude the diagnosis.
As similar symptoms can also occur in a range of other disorders (eg, thyroid disease, anaemia, major depression), the first priority in clinical assessment is to exclude alternative explanations. This can be achieved by careful history-taking, physical examination and a restricted set of laboratory investigations.
B: Diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome
1. Fatigue
Clinically evaluated, unexplained, persistent or relapsing fatigue persistent for six months or more, that:
2. Other symptoms
Four or more of the following symptoms that are concurrent, persistent for six months or more and which did not predate the fatigue:
Additional clues which could point to alternative diagnoses include unexplained weight loss (occult infection, malignancy, thyrotoxicosis, Crohn's disease); dry skin and cold intolerance (hypothyroidism); snoring and daytime sleepiness (sleep apnoea); risk factors for transmission of blood-borne infections (HIV, hepatitis C); prior episodes of depression or anxiety (vulnerability to psychiatric disorder); arthralgia or rash (connective tissue disease); and prescribed or illicit drug misuse. A history of altered bowel habit may indicate an underlying gastrointestinal infection (eg, giardiasis), coeliac disease, thyroid disease, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Examination
Characteristically, there are no abnormal physical findings in people with CFS. The physical examination and mental state examination are therefore primarily directed towards excluding other disorders. A careful assessment for neurological deficits or signs of anaemia, cardiac failure, respiratory disease, hidden infection, connective tissue disease or tumour should be conducted. The presence of persistent fever, lymphadenopathy, or enlargement of the liver or spleen are not features of CFS and always warrant further investigation.
The behavioural signs of psychiatric disorder should also be sought, including psychomotor slowing (major depression), physiological arousal (anxiety states and panic disorder) and cognitive deficits (delirium or dementia).
Investigation
There are currently no validated laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis of CFS, assess its severity or monitor progress. Hence, the purpose of laboratory investigation is to help exclude other disorders.
Recommended screening investigations are:
love
Lily
http://www.mja.com.au/public/guides/cfs/cfs2text.html
Diagnosis
CFS is diagnosed on clinical grounds. It relies on the presence of characteristic symptoms (see Box B), and the exclusion of alternative medical and psychiatric diagnoses. In individual patients, the symptoms of CFS may overlap with other common syndromes such as fibromyalgia and irritable-bowel syndrome, and the primary diagnosis will depend on which symptoms are the most dominant and disabling. People with CFS often have concurrent depression, and this need not exclude the diagnosis.
As similar symptoms can also occur in a range of other disorders (eg, thyroid disease, anaemia, major depression), the first priority in clinical assessment is to exclude alternative explanations. This can be achieved by careful history-taking, physical examination and a restricted set of laboratory investigations.
B: Diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome
1. Fatigue
Clinically evaluated, unexplained, persistent or relapsing fatigue persistent for six months or more, that:
- is of new or definite onset;
- is not the result of ongoing exertion;
- is not substantially alleviated by rest;
- results in substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social or personal activities;
2. Other symptoms
Four or more of the following symptoms that are concurrent, persistent for six months or more and which did not predate the fatigue:
- Impaired short term memory or concentration
- Sore throat
- Tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
- Muscle pain
- Multi-joint pain without arthritis
- Headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours
Additional clues which could point to alternative diagnoses include unexplained weight loss (occult infection, malignancy, thyrotoxicosis, Crohn's disease); dry skin and cold intolerance (hypothyroidism); snoring and daytime sleepiness (sleep apnoea); risk factors for transmission of blood-borne infections (HIV, hepatitis C); prior episodes of depression or anxiety (vulnerability to psychiatric disorder); arthralgia or rash (connective tissue disease); and prescribed or illicit drug misuse. A history of altered bowel habit may indicate an underlying gastrointestinal infection (eg, giardiasis), coeliac disease, thyroid disease, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Examination
Characteristically, there are no abnormal physical findings in people with CFS. The physical examination and mental state examination are therefore primarily directed towards excluding other disorders. A careful assessment for neurological deficits or signs of anaemia, cardiac failure, respiratory disease, hidden infection, connective tissue disease or tumour should be conducted. The presence of persistent fever, lymphadenopathy, or enlargement of the liver or spleen are not features of CFS and always warrant further investigation.
The behavioural signs of psychiatric disorder should also be sought, including psychomotor slowing (major depression), physiological arousal (anxiety states and panic disorder) and cognitive deficits (delirium or dementia).
Investigation
There are currently no validated laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis of CFS, assess its severity or monitor progress. Hence, the purpose of laboratory investigation is to help exclude other disorders.
Recommended screening investigations are:
- full blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate;
- serum electrolyte, calcium and creatinine levels;
- biochemical liver function tests;
- thyroid function tests (TSH); and
- urinalysis for blood, protein and glucose.
love
Lily
